Automatic electrical fire-extinguisher.



S. B. PRIEST.

AUTUMATIG ELECTRICAL FIRE EXTINGUISHER.

APPLICATION FILED 1120.14, 1910.

1,012,913. Patented Dec. 26, 1911.

2 SHEBTBSHEET 11 S B. PRL'ZST.

AUTOMATIC ELECTRICAL FIRE BXTINGUISHER.

APPLICATION FILED D2014, 1910.

1,012,913. Patented Dec. 26, 1911 2 SHEETSSHEET 2. IKE-=5 0 9 Ill-2i um vllllullnliilrlr HWwmes i r. m? M V f I I Smawlioz;

STEPHEN B. PRIEST, OF WASHINGTON, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA.

AUTOMATIC ELECTRICAL FIRE-EKI'INGUISHER.

Specification 01' Letters Patent.

' Patented Dec. 26, 1911.

Application filed December 14, 1910. Serial No. 697,788.

To all whom it may concern:

7 Be it known that I, STEPHEN B. PRIEST, a citizen of the United States, residing at Washington, in the District of Columbia,

have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Automatic Electrical Fire- .Extinguishers; and I do declare the following to be a full, clear, .and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others 10 skilled in theart to which it appertains to make and use the same. a

This invention relates to improvements in automatic electrically controlled fire extinguishing systems in which a chemical solution, water or both may be used.

One object of the invention is to provide an improved fire extinguishing system of the dry type which will be electrically controlled and which when set in operation will cause water from a city water supply pipe or any other source of sup ply to pass throu h the distributing or circulating pipes to t e sprinkler heads or nozzles in the vicinity of the fire,

E Another object of the invention is to provide a fire extinguishing system of the dry type in which either water or a chemical solution, or both, may be caused to fiow through the distributing and circulating pipes wheut-he system is in use.

Another object is to provide a fire extinguishing system of this character having an improved construction and arrangement of chemical holding and mixing mechanism and electrically controlled means whereby the same is automatically released and actuated for mixing and discharging the chemicals to the circulating or distributing mechanism.

Still another object is to provide an improved construction of automatically operated circuit closer adapted to be normally held open by the fusible holding means of the discharge nozzle whereby when said means is destroyed or broken the circuit closer 'will be released thereby closing the circuit of the electric releasing device for the chemical holding and mixing mechanism or operating the valve of the water supply pipe. C

With these'and other objects in view, the invention consists of certain novel features of construction, combination and arrangement of parts as will be more fully described and particularly pointed out in the zip pended claims.

In the accompanying drawings: Figure 1 is a. diagrammatic view of my improved fire extinguishing system; Fig. 2 is an inverted vertical sectional view of the chemical holding ,and mixing tank, and its controlling mechanism showing the means operated by the movement of the tank for connecting the system with the service pipe of the city water supply; Fig. 3 is a similar view showing the same parts in o erative position; Fig. 4 is a side view of tiie parts shown in Figs. 2 and 3; Fig. 5 is an enlarged vertical sectional view of the chemical discha ing mechanism and water supply valve, an the means whereby the latter is opened by the movement of the tank; Fig. 6 is an enlarged vertical section of the discharge nozzle and circuit closer and the fusible mechanism for controlling the same; Fig. 7 is a side view of the same parts showing the nozzle open and the circuit closer in operative. position.

In the practice of the invention I provide a movable element adapted when released so to operate suitable means or devices for causing the water or a fire extinguishing solution to pass through the circulating system. This movable member may be connected to the valve of a water sup ly pipe as of any character, or it may be in the form of a chemical tank, as illustrated in the embodiment of the invention shown in the drawings. This movable tank or member 1 may be located at any part of the building in which the sytem is installed, and it is pivotally mounted preferably adjacent its lower end in a supporting frame 2. The tank 1 is pivotally supported in the frame by trunnions 3 and 4, the trunnion 4 being tubular or in the form of an L-shaped ipe. one arm of which enters the tank an extends upwardly into the upper end thereof and is provided with a flared mouth 5, as shown. When the tank is in an upright or inoperative position the mouth or upper open end of the pipe 'extends above the fluid contained therein, as shown in Fig. 2 of the drawings. When the tank is inverted as, shown in Fig. 3, the flared mouth of the pipe is at the bottom of the tank so that the chemical solutionpwill be forced out by the pressure of the ases in the upper portion of the tank. he outer end of the tubular trunnion or pipe 4 projects laterally 110 from theside of the frame and has a revoluble engagement with a T-coupling 6, by

angu

means of which the distributing and circulating pipes of the system are connected with the tank, as will be hereinafter more fully described.

In the upper end of the tank 1. is formed a filling openin 7 closed by a cap 8. In the upper end 0 the tank below the 0 ening 7 is secured an open frame 9, in w ich is arranged a bottle or other container 10 adapted to hold an acid which, when mixed with the liquid in the tank, forms a fire extinguishing fluid which is discharged from the tank when the latter is in an inverted position.

As hereinbefore stated, the tank 1 is pivotally supported near itslower end so that when the tank is released the same will swing around to an inverted position, as shown in Fig. 3 of the drawings. In order.

In order to limit the swln ing movement of the tank when the same is released and swung to an inverted position, I rovide a stop which is preferably in the orm of a pneumatic cushion 12, secured to the base portion of the tank supporting frame 2 1n position to be engaged by the tank when the latter is swung downwardly to an inverted position. -The tank 1 is normally held in an up right position by means of a stop in 13 which is slidably mounted in :1. ii e passage formed in the upper cross ar 14 of the supporting frame 2, said bar being curved or of substantially semi-circular form, as shown. The lower end of the pin 13 is enga ed with an aperture formed in a right Iar bracket 15 secured to the adjacent side of the tank 1, as shown. The pin 13 is sup orted and retracted by an electrically contro led releasing mechanism comprising a bell cranlr lever 16 which is pivotally mounted in a su porting bracket 17 arranged on the up er and of the frame 2. The lower arm 18 o the bell crank lever is bent laterally at a suitable angle and to the outer end of said arm is pivotally connected the upper end of the stop in 13.. The upper arm 19 ofthe bell cran lever has formed thereon or secured thereto the armature 20 of an electro-magnet 21 which is arranged on a supporting bracket 22 secured to the adjacent upper end of the frame 2, as shown. When the magnet 21 is energized, the bell crank lever 16 will be rocked, thereby lifting or retracting the stop pin 13 out of engagement with the bracket 15, thus releasing .the tank 1, whereupon said tank will swing downwardly to an inverted position, as shown in Fig.

The laterally pro'ecting outer end of the tubular journal 4 o the tank is dlosed at its outer end, and has formed on said end a.

reduced bearing extension 22' which is revolubly engaged with a supporting bracket 23 secured to the adjacent side of the frame 2. In the tubular portion of the projecting end of the journal 4 which engages the T-couplin 6 is formed a discharge opening 24 which is normally closed by its engagement with one side of the T-coupling and which, when the journal is turned by the downward swinging movement. of the tank to an invertedposition, will be brought opposite to the opening in the coupling in which is secured the inner end of the distributing orv circulatin tem. In the outer ends of the assa e in the T-coupling 6 through which t e tu ular journal 4 passes is arranged suitable packmg 26 whereby a fluid tight joint is to- V1 ed between the journal and the coup mg.

Arranged in the fluid circulating or. distributing i i? 25 near the T-coupling 6 is a, ombineg -coupling and valve casing 27 inl which is arranged a check valve 28, the pur ose of which will be hereinafter descri (1. With the'coupling 27 is connected the service pip: 29 of the cit water system or other suita 1e water supp y, and in said pipe is arranged a water controlling valve 30 which is normally closed and thus prevents the passage of water to the circulating pipe 25. The valve 30 is automatically opened by the downward swinging movement of the tank 1 by means of a beveled gear pinion 31 which is fixedly mounted on the outer end of the journal 4 and is operatively engaged with a uarter segmental gear 32 fixedly mounted on the ex-- tended end of the stem 33 of the valve 30. By thus connectin the valve with the tubular journal 4, the ownward swinging movement of the tank will turn the gear 31 onehalf a revolution, which movement will be imparted to the valve through the quarter segmental gear to turn said valve a quarter of a revolution, thus turning on the water supply. When the tank 1.- is inverted in the mannen described, the contents of the container 10 are mixed with the liquid in the tank, and the extinguishing fluid thus produced will generate a gas in the inverted upper end of the tank and the pressure of the gas thus generated will force the chemical fluid out through the tubular journal or trunnion 4 and discharge passage 24 into the circulating or distributing pipe 25. The pressure of the chemical fluid thus being forced throu h the pipe willbe suificient to close the va v 28 against the end of the water su ply pipe 29 and to hold the same closed w 1 e the chemical fluid is being discharged. After this fluid has been discharged and the pressure on the valve 28 thus relieved, the water from the pipe 29 will 0 en the valve 28-and flow into the distributing in circulating pipe 25, and will pipe 25 of the systhe dischar e nozzles 34 of 1;

thus follow up the work erformed by the extinguishing fluid whic has been previous y discharged from the pipe 25 through e system.

. The distributing or circulating pipe 25 is arranged in the desired positlon in the building and is supported in any suitable manner near the cei ing or roof of the building. Arranged at suitable intervals in the pipe 25 are any suitable sprinkler heads or nozzles, but I preferably employ my improved discharge nozzles 34, said nozzles having threaded shanks which are secured into suitable couplings 36 arranged in the pipe 25. In the outer ends of the nozzles are arranged seats37 which are formed of porcelain or other suitable material and which are provided with beveled cap receiving surfaces with which are engaged the beveled inner sides of closing caps 38. On the upper ends of the nozzles 34 are formed upwardly projecting slotted supporting arms 39 with the upper ends of which are engaged the hook-shaped ends 40 of releasing'members 41. These members 41 may be fusible bars, or they may be made of a number of pieces of metal held together by fusible solder, as illustrated in the drawing.

' Between the bars 41 and the caps 38 are arranged adjustable cap fastening devices 42 comprising a tubular socket member 43 having a pointed outer end which enga es the ca 38 and a threaded socket with w ich is ad justably engaged a screw member 44 having a pointed outer end adapted to engage the fusible bar 41. The screw member 44 is provided with a squared wrench engaging portion 45 whereb; the same is readily turned and the members thus screwed apart into forcible engagement with the cap 38 and bar 41 thereby firmly holding the cap in engagement with the porcelain seat of the nozzle.

Arranged adjacent to each of the nozzles 34 is a circuit closer 46, said circuit closer being arranged in the circuit 47 of the electro-magnet '21 which controls the tank releasing mechanism whereby when any ot'the nozzles are opened the clrcuit '47 will be closed and the' magnet 21 energized. The circuit closers 46 each comprise a supporting standard 48 having in its upper end a contact terminal 49 which is insulated rom the standard and has connected thereto one of the branch wires of thecircuit 47. On the standard near its upper end is formed an apertured bearing lu 50 with which is pivotally connected the inner end of the movable arm or member 52 of the circuit closer, said arm having arranged thereon the other contact terminal 53 which is insulated from the arm and has connected thereto the end I of the other branch wire of the circuit 47.

h Arrangedon the pivot stud of the arm 52 .13 a coiled circuit closing spring 54, one end of which engages the standard 48 and the other end the arm 52 whereby when the arm is released the same will be swung upwardly and the contact terminal 53 thereon brought into engagement with the contact terminal 49 on the standard 48 thereby completing the electric circuit and energizing the magnet 21. The arm 52 is normally held down in an inoperative position and the circuit closer thus held open by a wire connection 55, one end of which is connected to the outer end of the arm and the other end to the fusible bar 41 whereby when said bar is fused or broken and the cap 38 of the nozzle thus released, said arm will be simultaneously released to permit the spring 54 to swing the same upwardly and thereby close the circuit.

In the circuit 47 is preferably arranged a branch circuit 56 having therein an alarm bell 57 which may be located in the engineers room, owners home, fire department or at any other desired location whereby when the circuit 37 is completed in the manner described the alarm will be sounded. Arranged on the ceiling above each of the discharge nozzles 34 are deflecting cones 58, against which the chemical fluid or water is discharged from the nozzles and will be deflected or scattered over a considerable surface thus increasing the extinguishing capacity of the nozzle. By arranging the nozzles as herein shown and described, it will be effecting a saving of the chemical fluid or water by' applying the same only where needed. 5

From the foregoing description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, the construction and operation of the invention will be readily understood without requiring a more extended explanation.

Various changes in the form, proportion and the minor details of construction may be resorted to without departing from the principle or sacrificing an of the advantages of the invention, as de ned in the appended claims.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim is:

1. In a fire extinguishing system, a slipporting structure, a chemical holding and mixing tank adapted to swing by gravity to an operative position for mixing the contents thereof, journals for the tank revolubly mounted in said structure, one of said journals being hollow to serve as an outlet class described, a chemical holding and mixing tank adapted to swing by gravity to an operative position for mlxing the contents thereof, a chemical dischargin mechanism connected with and =operated y said tank and including a tubular 'ournal fixed to said tank, means to hold sald tank in an inoperative position, a distributing pipe connected with the tubular journal, a water supply pipe connected with said distributing pipe, a valve arranged in said water supply pipe, and connected to be 0 erated by said journal, means to prevent t e flow of water into said distributing pipe from said water suppl pipe until after the chemicals have been discharged from said tank, and fusible'means arran ed on said distributin pipe for controlling the discharge of the chemicals therefrom and for controlling said tank holding means.

3. In a fire extinguishingsystem, a supporting structure, a cheinlcal holding and mixing tank adapted to swing by gravity to an operative position for mixing the contents thereof, journals for the tank revolubly mounted in said structure, one of said journals being hollow to serve as an outlet for the tank, a distributing pipe connected with said hollow journal, a water supply pipe also connected to said distributing p pe, a rotary valve in said water supply pipe and provided with a stem, and meshmg gears on said valve stem and sand l'lDl? low }0l1IX13.l whereby the valve will be actuated when the tank is inverted.

4. In a fire extinguishing system, a supporting structure, a chemical holdlng and mixing tank adapted to swing byravity to an operative positionfor mixing t e contents thereof, journals for the tank revolubly mounted in said structure, one of said journals being hollow to serve as an outlet for the tank, a distributing pipeconnected with said hollow journal, a water supply pipe also connected to said distributing pipe, a valve in said water supply pipe means actuated by the movement of one o the journals of said tank for actuating said valve, and a check valve arranged at the junction of said water supply pipe and said distributing pipewhereby the water from the supply ipe will be prevented from entering t e istributing ipe until the pressure in thetank is less t an the water pressure in the supply pipe.

5. In a fire extinguishing system of the class described, a tank supporting frame, a chemical holding tank, journals arranged on the lower portion of said tank. whereby the latter is pivotally mounted in said frame and adapted to be swung by gravity to an inverted operative position, one of said journals being tubular and extending into said tank and having formed therein a valve opening whereby the contents of the tank is discharged through the journal, a distributing pi e coupled to the discharge end of sai tu ular journal whereby when the tank swings to an operative position the valve 0 ening in the ournal will connect with said distributing pipe, means to hold said tank in an upright inoperative position a releasing mechanism connected with said holding mechanism, discharging nozzles arranged in said distributing pipe, and fusible means for controlling said nozzles and said tank releasing mechanism.

6.'In a fire extinguishing system of the class described, a tank supporting frame, a chemical holding tank, journals arranged on the lower portion of said tank whereby the latter is pivotally mounted in said frame and adapted to swing by gravity to an inverted operative position, one of said journals being tubular and extending into said tank and having formed therein a valve opening whereby the contents of the tank is discharged through the journal, a distributing pipecoupled to the discharge end of said tubular journal whereby when. the tank swings to an operative position the valve 0 ening in the journal will connect with sand distributing ipe, a water supply pipe connected with said distributing pipe, a valve arranged in said water supply pipe, controlling means connected with said valve and operated by the movement of said tank to open said water supply valve simultaneously with the operation of the tank discharging mechanism, means to prevent the water from said sup ly pipe entering said distributing pipe be ore the chemicals have been discharged from said tank, means to hold said tank in an inoperative position, a releasing mechanism connected with said tank holding means, and fusible means arranged on said distributing pipe to control the dischar e of the fluid therefrom and for controll ing the releasing mechanism of said tank holding means.

7. In a fire extinguishing system of the class described, a chemical holding and mixing tank, a tank supporting frame, means arranged near the lowenend of thetank to pivotally support the same in said frame whereby the latter will swing to an inverted position and thus mix the contents thereof, a weightarranged on one side of said tank to control the swin ing movement thereof, a pneumatic cushlon adapted to'form a yielding stop for the tank when swung to an inverted position, a bracket arranged on the upper end of said tank, a guide bar arranged on the upper end of the frame, a stop pin slidably engaged with,

:said bar and adapted to enigage said bracket whereby the tank is hel in an inoperative position, a bell crank lever having one and connected with said pin, an armature arranged on the other arm of said lever, an electro-magnet adapted to attract said armature and thereby cause said bell crank lever to retract said pin and thereby release the tank, a chemical'discharging mechanism operated by the movement of the tank, a distributing mechanism connected with said discharging mechanism, fusible means to control the discharge of fluid from said distributing mechanism, an electric-circuit connected with said magnet, and circuit. closers arranged in said circuit and adapted to be operated by the fusible contro lin means of said discharging mechanism W ereby said magnet is energized and said bell crank lever thereby operated to release the tank.

8. In a fire extinguishing system, a chemical holding and mixing tank, a tank supporting frame, means arranged near the lower end of the tank to pivotally support it in said frame and to permitit to'swing to an inverted position, a bracket arran ed on the upper end of said tank, a arranged on the upper end of said frame a stop slidably engaged with said bar and adapted to engage said bracket whereby the tank is held in an inoperative position, a bL-il crank lever having one arm connected with said stop, an armature arranged on the other arm of said lever, an electro-magnet arranged in position to attract said armature to cause said bell crank lever to retract said pin and release said tank when the magnet is energized, a chemical discharging mechanism operated by the movement of the tank, a distributing mechanism connected with said discharging mecha nism, fusible means to control the discharge of fluid from said distributing mechanism, an electric circuit connected with said mechanism and circuit closers arranged in said ciriuit and adapted to be operated by the fusible controlling means of said discharging mechanism.

9. In a tire extinguishing system of the class described, a chemical holding and mix-. ing tank adapted to swing to an operative position for mixing the contents thereof, a chemical discharging mechanism connected with and operated by ea tank, said mechauide arv nism including a tubular journal fixed to said tank, means for holding said tank in an inoperative position, a distributing pipe connected with said tubular journal, a water supply pipe connected with said distributing pipe, a valve arranged in said water su .iply pipe and connected to and operated y said journal, means to prevent the flow of water into said distributing pipe from said water discharge pipe until the chemicals have been discharged from said tank, andelectrically operated means for releasing said tank holding means.

10. In a fire extinguishing system of the class described, a chemical holding and mixing tank adapted to swing to an operative position for mixing the contents thereof, a discharging mechanism connected with and operated by the movement of said tank, a distributing pipe connected with said discharging mechanism, a series of discharging nozzles arranged in said distributing pipe, closing caps adapted to be engaged with the outer end of said nozzles, a fusible element supported above each cap, adjustable means arranged between said fusible element and cap whereby the latter is held in closed position until said element is fused, circuit closers arranged adjacent to said nozzles, said closers each comprising a standard having thereon one contact terminal of an electric circuit, a spring projected arm pivoted to said standard and having thereon the other contact terminal of said circuit, and means to connect said arm to said fusible element whereby the latter will be held down in an inoperative osition while said fusible element remains intact and whereby when said element is fused said spring will actuate said arm and bring the contact terminal thereon into engagement with ,the contact terminal on said standard thereby closing said circuit.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand in presence of two subscribing Witnesses. STEPHEN B. PRIEST.

Witnesses L. O. HILTON, M. I. BUSSIUS. 

